News

Foundation and Special Olympics develop coaching in Singapore

Posted on 25 June 2015
- 10:33

A groundbreaking football training clinic is taking place at the Singapore Sports School over the next three days, which will see Special Olympics Asia Pacific and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation working together to up-skill football coaches in Asia for people with intellectual disabilities.

Up to 30 Special Olympics Asia Pacific football coaches from 10 countries in the region will take part in the clinic which will see Tottenham Hotspur Foundation pass on its expertise and knowledge in delivering high quality sports programmes for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics uses sport to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, empowering this marginalised group to become contributing members of society. The key to improving any athlete’s performance and wellbeing is based on the quality of training and experiences provided by the coach.

Working with leading football clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur helps Special Olympics coaches to improve their own performance and provide enhanced levels of coaching to athletes with disabilities.

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is a leader in the field of disability football and has over 10 years’ experience in developing the game from grassroots to elite level. The Foundation and Special Olympics have worked together since 2007 in a partnership driven by a common goal to create social change through the power of sport. The bespoke programme which was initially delivered in Europe and North America will now see the Foundation’s coaching excellence and unique ethos rolled out across the Asia Pacific Region. This project represents a huge step forward in improving grassroots football coaching for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the region.

Coaches will be supported by members of Singapore Spurs, one of over 100 Official Supporters Clubs Tottenham Hotspur has across the world, helping assist the Foundation coaches in breaking down language and cultural barriers during their delivery of sessions.

Singapore’s central location and outstanding sports facilities make it the ideal place to host this regional event and on the back of a triumphant SEA Games, offers an exciting introduction to the legacy that the Games will offer to the country.

Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “Following on from the Club’s recent tour of Asia, where we received an overwhelming amount of support from fans, I am pleased that we return so soon to deliver this coaching opportunity for Special Olympics. In our 10-year experience of working with athletes with disabilities, at both a local and international level, we know only too well the important role that sport plays in supporting social inclusion in the community.Having successfully delivered a pilot of this programme with Special OIympics Bharat (India) last year, it is exciting to use Singapore as a hub to expand the project to more countries in the Asia Pacific region.”

Dr. John Dow Jr, Acting President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, said: “Special Olympics Asia Pacific ensures that all of the coaches involved in our movement have the opportunity to develop their skills and improve their expertise, for our athletes to benefit from quality training. By bringing Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to Singapore, we are presenting a valuable opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with coaches in the region. I would like to thank our guests from Tottenham for travelling to conduct this training and know that with their support and ongoing involvement, the standard of coaching available to people with intellectual disabilities across Asia Pacific and, of course, Singapore will continue to grow and improve.”